Recent in Baby
When Baby Resists SolidsWhen Baby Resists SolidsBaby Biting TipsBaby Biting Tips5 Tips To Help Prevent Highchair Injuries5 Tips To Help Prevent Highchair InjuriesWhen Baby and Pet MeetWhen Baby and Pet MeetTreatments for ColicTreatments for ColicBaby Milestones – The First YearBaby Milestones – The First YearTips for Relieving Teething PainTips for Relieving Teething PainBenefits of Making Your Own Baby FoodBenefits of Making Your Own Baby Food

Home › Baby Names Directory › Jaclyn

Jaclyn

♀ Girl

Pronounced JAK-lihn /ˈd͡ʒæk.lɪn/Medium

Meaning: Holder of the heelMedium

In 30 seconds: Jaclyn is an English girl's name, a streamlined respelling of Jacqueline, ultimately meaning 'holder of the heel'.
💕 Browse more names
Origin MediumEnglish
MeaningHolder of the heel
U.S. rank (2025)#2790 ↘ Falling
2025 U.S. births61 girls (0.00% of U.S. girls)
Peak year1988
Total births (all-time)≈ 49,630

Popularity in the U.S. · SSA data

peak 198819232025

U.S. births per year (Social Security Administration, 1880–present). Pink marker = peak year.

SSA data updated May 2026. How we source & verify this data.

History & Origin

Jaclyn is an English form of Jacqueline, whose chain back through the masculine Jacob carries the old meaning 'holder of the heel'. The spelling drops the French letters in favor of a phonetic look, which is why it pairs naturally with relatives like Jacquelyn and Jacklyn.

American actress Jaclyn Smith, of Charlie's Angels fame, gave the spelling much of its visibility. The name keeps the two-beat rhythm of Jacqueline while feeling more casually American on the page.

Did you know? The meaning usually attached to Jaclyn is 'holder of the heel', and that core idea is what gives the name most of its long-term appeal.
Overall data confidence 78%
Behind the Name - Jaclyn — etymology, usage, pronunciation, and related formsU.S. Social Security Administration — 2024 popularity rank and count supplied in the batch input CSV

Variations

JacalynJacklynJacquelineJacquelynJaqueline

Nicknames

—

Famous Bearers

  • ★Jaclyn Smith (1945–present)
    American actress, Charlie's Angels.

If you like Jaclyn…

Jacqueline— The full French original that Jaclyn streamlines, sharing its exact meaning and root.
Jacquelyn— A listed variation of Jaclyn with the same pronunciation and 'holder of the heel' sense.
Jacklyn— A near-identical respelling of Jaclyn from the same Jacqueline family.
Jaqueline— A variation of Jaclyn closer to the French Jacqueline form.

Explore names like Jaclyn

By themeenglishmodern-ending

All themes →All meanings →All origins →

Frequently Asked

What does the name Jaclyn mean?

Jaclyn is usually explained as meaning 'holder of the heel' and is most often linked with English tradition.

How do you pronounce Jaclyn?

It's commonly said JAK-lihn /ˈd͡ʒæk.lɪn/.

Is Jaclyn a boy or girl name?

In this batch and in recent U.S. usage data, Jaclyn is used as a girl name.

How popular is Jaclyn?

In 2024, Jaclyn ranked #2722 in the U.S. for girls, with 63 births recorded.

💬 Ask Nia